Post by RedWings on Dec 4, 2007 15:36:31 GMT -5
Hey, I'm back from deer hunting and I wondered if anyone else saw McCarty at last week's game? He looked a lot better WITHOUT his rock and roll hair coloring and facial hair. I'd like to see him get one more kick at the cat. Who knows, maybe the Wings can sign him for depth and have him begin in GR getting his game back. Hopefully, it would work out better than McSorely.
Anyway, here's the article from the News:
DETROIT -- The NHL needs a Darren McCarty.
Sure McCarty was never the best player on the ice, known more for his fighting ability than his actual skill.
But McCarty, played from 1993-2004 with the Red Wings before being bought out after the lockout in 2005. He was a colorful character fans could identify with and loved to watch. And in this new NHL, McCarty probably would help to sell a few tickets. That's how popular he was when he wore the winged wheel.
It was only fitting McCarty was at Tuesday night's Wings 5-3 victory over the Flames at The Joe. McCarty played for both teams -- he was with Calgary the last two seasons. A free agent, McCarty still loves the game and hasn't given up the idea of playing again.
"I want to play, for sure," McCarty said. "I'd like to give it a shot and catch on with somebody and play. I think I can still play, I still think I can bring something to the team -- that intangible stuff, leadership, a spark."
Willing to work
McCarty, 35, looked good. He said he has a few medical issues to deal with before he's cleared to play again in January. Then, it'll just be about getting another opportunity.
"I'm willing to start at the bottom and work my way up, prove myself," said McCarty, wearing a black hat with Grinder across the front and a black Lions T-shirt. "I still think there's gas in the tank."
To his credit, McCarty -- who has split time between Motown and Calgary -- has taken both responsibility and time to get his life together. He filed for bankruptcy in 2006 and then got a divorce.
"It's been a rough two years," McCarty said.
"But it's been important to get on the right path, get my life in order. I still love the game and want to play. But it's not the end all, be all."
If this is the end, McCarty is mature enough to accept it. But it doesn't have to be. And before you say McCarty's too old, don't forget his buddies on the Grind Line still are out there -- Kirk Maltby, 34, and Kris Draper, 36.
Osgood in his corner
"When he's in shape and has everything organized, he can be a real effective player," goalie Chris Osgood said. "And he can still fight a lot of guys."
McCarty was the star of Fight Night at The Joe on March 26, 1997. In a massive brawl vs. the Avalanche, McCarty, the Wings enforcer, defended himself against Claude Lemieux with a blistering punch, and they kept coming.
Sadly, McCarty wasn't productive with the Flames last season. He had no goals or assists in 32 games.
"I don't want to go out that way," McCarty said.
It's for that reason McCarty wants to give it one more try.
"If I don't play, I'd like to stay involved somehow," said McCarty, who is interested in radio, television or a front-office job. "This is where my roots are. It would be great to stay around this area."
If the Wings did re-sign him, there wouldn't be as many empty seats as there were Tuesday night.
Anyway, here's the article from the News:
DETROIT -- The NHL needs a Darren McCarty.
Sure McCarty was never the best player on the ice, known more for his fighting ability than his actual skill.
But McCarty, played from 1993-2004 with the Red Wings before being bought out after the lockout in 2005. He was a colorful character fans could identify with and loved to watch. And in this new NHL, McCarty probably would help to sell a few tickets. That's how popular he was when he wore the winged wheel.
It was only fitting McCarty was at Tuesday night's Wings 5-3 victory over the Flames at The Joe. McCarty played for both teams -- he was with Calgary the last two seasons. A free agent, McCarty still loves the game and hasn't given up the idea of playing again.
"I want to play, for sure," McCarty said. "I'd like to give it a shot and catch on with somebody and play. I think I can still play, I still think I can bring something to the team -- that intangible stuff, leadership, a spark."
Willing to work
McCarty, 35, looked good. He said he has a few medical issues to deal with before he's cleared to play again in January. Then, it'll just be about getting another opportunity.
"I'm willing to start at the bottom and work my way up, prove myself," said McCarty, wearing a black hat with Grinder across the front and a black Lions T-shirt. "I still think there's gas in the tank."
To his credit, McCarty -- who has split time between Motown and Calgary -- has taken both responsibility and time to get his life together. He filed for bankruptcy in 2006 and then got a divorce.
"It's been a rough two years," McCarty said.
"But it's been important to get on the right path, get my life in order. I still love the game and want to play. But it's not the end all, be all."
If this is the end, McCarty is mature enough to accept it. But it doesn't have to be. And before you say McCarty's too old, don't forget his buddies on the Grind Line still are out there -- Kirk Maltby, 34, and Kris Draper, 36.
Osgood in his corner
"When he's in shape and has everything organized, he can be a real effective player," goalie Chris Osgood said. "And he can still fight a lot of guys."
McCarty was the star of Fight Night at The Joe on March 26, 1997. In a massive brawl vs. the Avalanche, McCarty, the Wings enforcer, defended himself against Claude Lemieux with a blistering punch, and they kept coming.
Sadly, McCarty wasn't productive with the Flames last season. He had no goals or assists in 32 games.
"I don't want to go out that way," McCarty said.
It's for that reason McCarty wants to give it one more try.
"If I don't play, I'd like to stay involved somehow," said McCarty, who is interested in radio, television or a front-office job. "This is where my roots are. It would be great to stay around this area."
If the Wings did re-sign him, there wouldn't be as many empty seats as there were Tuesday night.
